The 21-year-old arrived for just £1.5m from Tenerife in the summer having never played at a level higher than the Spanish Second Division.

But within days his new team-mates were marvelling at his technical ability.

Now midfielder Mehdi Abeid says the skinny forward could turn out to be the bargain buy of the season after his stunning goal against West Brom on Sunday.

"The first days he was training we could see just how good a player he is technically," he said.

"He showed us he has some great skills, and we could see that he could be a really big player for us this season.

"We knew straight away that he is a very, very good player in the way that other people are starting to see now."

Perez had to bide his time for a full Toon debut while he worked to build his physical strength - but three goals in as many games have proved he can cope with the ferocious demands of the Premier League.

“The first days he was training we could see just how good a player he is technically. He showed us he has some great skills”

Mehdi Abeid

Abeid added: "We are really happy for him because he has worked to improve in training every day, and we hope he will score a lot more goals for us."

If Perez has been a revelation during Newcastle's run of five wins in a row, then Abeid himself has also blossomed after taking over Cheick Tiote's role at the heart of midfield.

The 22-year-old former French youth international - who as now switched to play for Algeria - took time to adjust after moving from Lens three years ago, and spent last season on loan in Greece with Panathinaikos.

He said: "I learned a lot and I came back with a strong mentality and a strong character, and I am happy for the work I did when I was in Greece.

"I came back to have some time to play, and to show the manager and the club that I can play for them, and I am really pleased that I am getting the chance.

"The manager said to me that I had to work hard every day, and that if I did I would get my chance. That has come, and I am doing my best and it is working.